By Penelope A. Domogo, MD
This UK variant has been hugging the headlines for the past days, putting Bontoc in the limelight. It flew from the United Kingdom at the other side of the world and landed in Bontoc, in the hinterlands of the Cordillera. These viruses really know how to ride airplanes and cars, eh? This shows also how small our world has become. When before, it took three years for the Magellan-Elcano expedition to circumnavigate the globe, nowadays, we and the germs can do it in hours. Who carried the virus to Bontoc is still a mystery because the identified balikbayan from UK tested positive for covid-19 many days after his arrival (he tested negative at first). We pray for Bontoc and Mountain Province- for healing and wellness and guidance- for the people, the frontliners, the officials and the support system. Kasiyana.
What is this UK variant? It is covid-19 that has some mutations or changes. The World Health Organization reports that the covid-19 virus underwent some changes in its genetic make-up so it is still covid-19 but a little different thus it’s just labelled as a variant. It hasn’t done a total makeover, otherwise, we are in more trouble. Perhaps, it’s like changing your hair color, eye color and having a facelift. We may not recognize you at first but we can recognize your voice and mannerisms because you are still basically you. For this virus, authorities say it changed some of its components – some reports say there are 17 changes, some say 23. Whatever, the fact is that there are changes in the virus and the people studying viruses say that changing parts is a normal activity of viruses (and bacteria and all living things, I would say).
You would wonder how this variant was detected. Well, folks, from what I have read, there’s a consortium called Covid-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) “which undertakes random genetic sequencing of positive covid-19 samples around the United Kingdom.” Grabe ano? May mga tao pala na ganoon ka interested in genetic sequencing – that’s too scary for me. I am imagining, do they take these viruses apart, which are ultramicroscopic by themselves, and tinker with their genes? Anyway, this group reported that it detected this variant in late September 2020 in samples from southeast England (this is why the virus is labelled as UK variant) then observed it spreading in other parts of the country. As I write this, this variant is now spread in many other countries, up to the hinterlands of the Cordillera.
There are other variants detected in South Africa (do you notice how Africa is a favourite assigned site of origin of disease?), and now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a different variant in Brazil. The good news is that although this UK variant appears to be more infectious, meaning more transmissible, it does not seem to be more damaging. In fact, some preliminary studies abroad say this variant has milder symptoms. According to Dr. Nenita Lizardo, Provincial Health Officer II of Mountain Province, 11 of the 12 patients from Bontoc with the UK variant have now recovered and one is still recovering in the hospital, as of this writing.
I would like to see these mutations in the larger context of the universe. If you have been following this column, we have discussed the laws of the Universe- laws that govern the Universe so that there is peace and order and harmony (read happiness). So I see this virus mutation as a way of the Universe to make people immune to covid-19 faster. It’s like the vaccine from the factory- it can make you sick but milder. But while the vaccine from the factory has some chemicals added to it, this covid variant is ‘natural”. Hmmm, nature acts faster that humans. It is reported that this UK variant gives immunity like regular covid-19. Meaning that although there are changes in the virus, the health authorities say these are not enough to change our antibody response. God is good, really!
Thus if ever you get exposed to this virus, covid-19 or its variants, don’t panic. Be grateful. Because exposure is how we can develop natural immunity- it’s a natural vaccination! God has given us an immense defense army to handle it- right inside our bodies and in the entrances to our bodies. We just need to take care of these microscopic soldiers- by being grateful, eating and drinking natural, have sunshine and fresh air and nurturing loving relationships with ourselves and others. It takes microscopic soldiers to deal with microscopic invaders. And taking care of ourselves doesn’t even cost much. God loves us so much that He doesn’t leave us alone, and we can appreciate His love more in the face of challenges. This doesn’t mean, though, that we can be reckless. We also need to follow protocols and common sense. Cheers to love, health and wellness!***
“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have created them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24
